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Biomedicine and Beatitude
An Introduction to Catholic Bioethics, second edition
Catholic Moral Thought
by Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco
Imprint: Catholic University of America Press
This timely and up to date new edition of Biomedicine and Beatitude features an entirely new chapter on the ethics of bodily modification. It is also updated throughout to reflect the pontificate of Pope Francis, recent concerns including ethical issues raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, and feedback from the many instructors who used the first edition in the classroom.
Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, OP is professor of biology and of theology at Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island, and professor of biological sciences at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines.
"A marvelous attempt to meld the many diverse elements that are involved in Catholic bioethics. It is a book that brings forward the best from the past but is situated firmly in the twenty-first century. Austriaco has performed a great service for those of us who teach bioethics and those who want a clear but sophisticated overview of Catholic bioethics."
~Thomist
"Merits the attention of moral theologians, Catholic health care professionals, graduate students, and advanced undergraduate students alike."
~Reviews in Religion and Theology
"Will be of immense value, not only to students but also to nurses, doctors, and researchers. It is at once a treasury of Catholic thought on bioethics, an exemplary text book, and an indispensible reference work that should be a classic for years to come."
~National Catholic Bioethics Quarterly
"While Austriaco consistently defends the Catholic Church's teaching, he critically engages it and places it in dialogue with diverse ethical perspectives. The text is clearly written, well researched, and exhaustively documented. The author defines and explains theological and biomedical jargon for the lay reader. Undergraduates will find great value in the text, as will graduate students looking for an accessible introduction to the field. Highly recommended."
~Choice
"Thoughtful and critical throughout, this book serves as an excellent introduction to the multifaceted approach to Catholic bioethical thought. The second edition certainly improves upon the first and offers up-to-date engagement with many major topics of bioethical debate. The book concludes with some thoughts on the future of Catholic bioethics. While the 20th century was occupied by questions of human dignity, Austriaco believes the twenty-first century will 'struggle primarily with questions regarding human identity.' He may very well be right, and his work here serves to begin that discussion."
~Reading Religion